Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

RangeThroughout North America. Endangered because of DDT effects in the 1950s; brought back because of major efforts by concerned organizations and dedicated people. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has removed the Peregrine Falcon from the Endangered Species list. While there are Peregrine nest sites in VA, it remains on the Threatened list on the state.

SizeLength 14-19 inchesWingspan 37-46 inchesWeight 16-32 ounces

HabitatNear high cliffs; will use urban structures, such as skyscrapers, if natural cliffs not available. Is tolerant of wide climatic variations.

DietBirds, almost exclusively, primarily ducks and seabirds. In cities they are known to eat pigeons.

CharacteristicsDark head, with a thick, dark mustache mark. Dark brown eyes; its eye rings, cere, and legs are yellow. Only North American falcon whose wings almost touch the tip of the tail in perched birds. May hunt by swooping down on prey from off a high cliff ledge or building, but prefer to wait far aloft to spot avian prey – and then "stooping" from a great height, at high speeds, to hit the prey in the air and tumble it to the ground. When in a stoop, the Peregrine can reach a speed of 200 mph and is the bird world's fastest flyer.